Client in mobile device for sending and receiving navigational coordinates and notifications

ABSTRACT

A first mobile device requests a second mobile device to navigate to a destination communicated to the second mobile device by the first mobile device, wherein at least the second mobile device, if not both the first and the second mobile devices, is GPS enabled and is capable of navigation. In one scenario, a first user of the first mobile device requests the second device (or the user of the second device) to send a notification when the second user has reached a certain destination or is in the vicinity of a certain location where the first user and the first mobile device are currently located.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Background

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a mobile device andparticularly to a solution wherein notifications are sent from onemobile device to another to inform a user that another user has arrived.

2. Related Art

Mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous. Children carry them and so doadults. Children use them to ask their parents to come pick them up at amall or a park. Often parents spend a lot of time trying to locate theirchild at a mall when they get a call for a ride. Similarly, childrenwait for a long time outside a mall waiting for their parents to arrive,often in inclement weather. This problem is also faced by mobile userswho travel to a new country on business and pleasure and wait for a taxipickup at an airport, outside an airport or in train stations.

Quite often, a first user and a second user have both GPS enableddevices but one of them cannot easily inform the other user where he/sheis currently located or provide directions to the second user that willhelp the second user meet the first user. When the first user wants thesecond user to call him/inform him when the second user gets to aspecific place in order to provide the first user some time to get readyto meet with him, often the second user is incapable of calling thefirst user on the phone, especially if he is driving a vehicle. Forexample, if the second user is expected to call the first user (on amobile phone) when the first user gets close to a mall, so that thefirst user, presumably closer to the mall than the second user, can thenjoin the second user at the mall, the second user is incapable or unableto make the call for several reasons, thereby causing confusion andinconvenience to the first user. Similarly, if a first user may want toknow if the second user has reached a destination safely and on time,the second user is often incapable or unable to make the call forseveral reasons, thereby causing confusion and inconvenience to thefirst user.

If a person wants a ride (in a car, motorcycle etc.) from a friend, theperson often has to wait, some times outdoors in inclement weather, todetermine if his ride has arrived and to be able to hook up with hisfriend. Often, the person waiting has no idea when his friend will showup, especially if his friend is held up by traffic. Although his friendcould call him on his mobile phone to keep him posted, it requires theability to operate the mobile phone while driving, which is illegal inquite a few places in the world.

GPS satellites have been used for a while for navigation. GPS satellitesdo not actually pinpoint your location as is commonly believed. The 24satellites circling the earth each contain a precise clock thattransmits a signal comprising a time to the GPS receiver in a user'smobile device. The mobile device processes the satellite signals todetermine geometrically where the user is located. The signals travel ata known speed—the speed of light through outer space, and slightlyslower through the atmosphere. The mobile device (or more precisely, aGPS receiver circuitry in the mobile device) uses the arrival time tocompute the distance to each satellite, from which it determines theposition of the mobile device using geometry and trigonometry. Thelocation of the mobile device is expressed in a specific coordinatesystem, e.g. latitude/longitude, using the WGS 84 geodetic datum or alocal system specific to a country.

When a user makes a request for directions, the signal goes from theuser's mobile device/handset through a cell phone tower to a serviceprovider's servers, such as (for example) the TeleNav servers. TeleNavimmediately pulls up the relevant maps, businesses, gas prices, etc. andsend this information back through the cell phone towers to the user'smobile device.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a mobile web system wherein afirst mobile device with a client facilitates sending a locationinformation to a second mobile device, enabling a client in the secondmobile device to guide a second user to a desired location based on thelocation information received from the first mobile device;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary snapshot of a client feature selection screen ofthe mobile phone that is present by the client software that isinstalled and run in the mobile device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen snapshot of a mobile phone depicting theselection of an individual contact from available contact groups forsending a notification, which can comprise at least one of a cannedmessage, a personalized typed message and a graphic selected by theuser; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary operation of a first mobile devicethat is capable of receiving a destination information comprising anavigational data such as GPS coordinates and routes from a secondmobile device, the first mobile device capable of guiding a user to thedestination specified by a user of the second mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides an elegant means of interaction betweenpeople wherein the location information from a first user's mobiledevice is communicated to a second user's mobile device. Using thecommunicated location information, the second user's mobile deviceguides the second user to the current location of the first user. Inaddition, when the second user is close to (in proximity within 1 mile,for example) the first user, the second user's mobile devicecommunicates an “almost there” notification, followed by an “arrived”notification to the first user's mobile device.

When a first member of an online social group needs to communicatedetails of a trip to his friends in the social group, the first memberemploys a client in the first mobile device to record a trip detailscomprising a plurality of waypoints with associated audio, video,textual and other related information. Then the first member uploads,employing the client, the trip details to a server accessible by thesocial group (or a subset thereof). The other members of the socialgroup can download the trip details onto their own corresponding mobiledevices and activate it using the client available so as to visit allthe landmarks/locations associated with the various waypoints of thetrip details.

Also, the present invention expands the mode of interaction betweenfriends who want each others company at a mall or at a landmark, makingit possible to communicate their present locations using GPS basedinformation and providing a client capable of guiding the friends to adestination of interest. Furthermore, the present invention facilitatesautomatic notifications to a waiting friend from another visiting him orjoining him, especially with the use of “almost arrived”, “arrived” andother advisory/informatory notifications.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a user can access newGPS and navigation based services on the server, and browse through tripdetails uploaded to the server, select one of them, download them totheir own mobile devices, and embark upon a similar trip employingguidance provided by a client in their mobile devices capable ofprocessing the trip plan and navigating to the various waypoints, in theorder specified or in an user specified order.

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a mobile web system 101 whereina first mobile device 121 with a client 123 facilitates sending alocation information to a second mobile device 161, enabling a client163 in the second mobile device to guide a second user to a desiredlocation based on the location information received from the firstmobile device 121. In general, the client 123 and the client 163comprise similar functionality and are capable of sending/receivinglocation information (GPS based, navigational data based, etc.) andconsuming the location information in guiding an associated user to adesired location/destination. The first and second mobile devices 121,161 are one of a GPS enabled mobile phone, a navigational device (suchas a Garmin, TomTom, etc.), a navigational unit in a vehicle (such as acar, motorcycle etc.), a PDA, a laptop with a navigationalcircuitry/navigational software, etc.

The first mobile device 121 automatically informs the second mobiledevice 161 that it has reached a certain destination after it hasreceived location information (which can be specified as GPScoordinates, landmark information, etc.) from the second mobile device161 and has guided a user of the first mobile device 121 to thatdestination. For example, the first mobile device 121 automaticallysends a notification with a message comprising the text “Arrived” whenit reaches a destination employing the received location information.The first mobile device 121 also automatically sends a notification witha message comprising the text “Almost There” (or some similar message orgraphics) when it is a mile or so, or a minute away from thedestination.

The first mobile device 121 comprises the client 123, a processingcircuitry 131, a storage 133 and a GPS/navigational circuitry 135. Theclient 123 comprises a GPS management module 125, a navigationalcoordination module 127, and a notification manager module 129. The aGPS management module 125 interacts with the GPS/navigational circuitry135, retrieving GPS coordinates, setting GPS coordinates for adestination to which the user wants to go, interacting with thenavigational coordination module 127, etc. The coordination module 127facilitates setting landmark information where a user desires to go,guiding a user to reach a destination, following a route (according to atrip plan) to reach a destination, retrieving and displaying a computedroute, distance and estimated arrival time for reaching a destination,etc. The notification manager module 129 facilitates receivingnotification from other mobile devices and displaying them, sendingnotifications to other mobile devices informing them of a proximityinformation, approaching information, arrival information, billinginformation, etc. The second mobile device 161 also comprises modulesand circuitry similar to those in functionality that are described herefor the first mobile device 121.

The coordination server 141 makes it possible for the first mobiledevice 121 to interact with one or more other mobile devices, such asthe second mobile device 163. It facilitates communication ofnotifications, GPS coordinates, navigational information such as tripplans, routes, landmarks, distances, approaching and arrivalinformation, etc. It also facilitates billing for trip plans shared withothers, trip plans purchased, services accesses such as notification toa waiting user of a first mobile device who needs to know if his ridehas arrived, etc.

The coordination server 141 comprises a waypoint and route storage 143,a registration manager 145, a notification coordination module 147, anda database 149. The waypoint and route storage 143 stores and retrievesuploaded trip plans, routes, waypoints, bookmarks, etc. A user canupload them for sharing, and optionally bill others for downloading orusing them. The registration manager 145 facilitates user registrationand service access, wherein user registration comprises creating anaccount, optionally setting up a billing account, establishing a loginand password, and enabling security services. The registration manager145 make sit possible for users to register the details of their mobiledevices such as one or more of a phone number, an IP address, a deviceserial number such as ESN or IMEI, MSISDN, a subscriber information,etc. It also facilitates registration of phone numbers and other detailsof friends and family with whom a user's mobile device is likely toshare navigational information, receive notifications and requests fornavigation data sharing, etc. The notification coordination module 147facilitates sending notifications and receiving notifications.

The database 149 comprises a contacts and friends list database 151 thatmakes it possible to specify (and control) who gets to participate ininteractions with a registered user, by default. It also comprises aroutes and waypoints database 153 that is used to store, retrieve andmanage waypoints, trip plans and routes uploaded for sharing by users,those that are made available for sale by businesses, etc. The database149 also comprises an audio and video content database 155 that is suedto store, retrieve and manage audio, video, graphic and textual contentthat a user would enter as user specified data (recorded by the user forexample) for a trip plan or waypoint saved and/or shared by the user.

In one scenario, a first user of the first mobile device 121 requeststhe second device 161 (or the user of the second device) to send anotification when the second user has reached a certain destination oris in the vicinity of a certain location where the first user and thefirst mobile device 121 are currently located. The client 163 in thesecond device 161 alerts the second user of the second device 161prompting him to accept such a request. The second user interacts withthe client 163 in the second device 161 (which can be a GPS enabledmobile phone) and accepts a geographical information, a landmark name,or a reference to the destination of interest. The client 163 stores itand monitors the location changes of the second mobile device 161. Whenthe second mobile device 161 detects that it is “near” or “approaching”the destination of interest, it automatically, without any second userintervention, creates a message and sends it as a notification to thefirst mobile device 121. The client 121 in the first mobile device 121receives the notification and selectively presents/displays the message,or an alternative information, to the user of the first mobile device121. The client 123 in the first mobile device 121 also facilitatescommunication of a follow message from the first user of the firstmobile device 121 to the user of the second mobile device 161. Forexample, the followup message can be “Be out in 3 minutes”, or “Park inthe rear”. The followup message can be a canned message selected by theuser from a list, an adhoc message entered from a keyboard, or an audiomessage input by the first user using the client 123. The use ofgraphics for the same purpose is also contemplated.

The client 123 in the first mobile device 121 makes it possible for auser to enter/associate a second mobile device 161 as an interestedparty, employing a device identification, a user identification, aservice related identification, etc. The client 123 in the first mobiledevice 121 then communicates with the client 163 in the second mobiledevice 161 passing parameters as necessary, in order to providesufficient information to the second mobile device 161 that will enableit to participate in a service (such as a arrival notification service).For example, the client 123 in the first mobile device 121 thencommunicates a GPS coordinate associated with its current location or alandmark information to the client 163 in the second mobile device 161.

The present invention makes it possible to record a complete “tripalbum” by the client 123 as the user of the first mobile device 121travels on a trip and records one or more waypoints along one or moreroutes, takes pictures at those waypoints/landmarks, record audio andvideo inputs and stores it as a shareable album on the coordinationserver 141. The second mobile device 161 is then sent a link to the tripalbum (employing a reference such as a URL or identification) and theclient 163 makes it possible to not only view the trip album (playaudio, view pictures and video for example) but also activate the trip(i.e. guide the user through the various waypoints/landmarks along theroutes of the trip) and create the user's own trip album, that can alsobe uploaded and shared at the coordination server 141. In a relatedembodiment, the users who download trip albums created and uploaded byanother user get billed by the billing server 185, with the collectedproceeds being shared with the another user who creates and shares thetrip album.

The first 121 and the second 161 mobile devices both comprise a client123, 163 that is capable of receiving GPS related information from theother and processing it. They are also capable of receiving anotification and displaying it to a user. In one embodiment, the firstmobile device 121 requests the second mobile device 161 (that is, forexample, a GPS enabled vehicle such as an automobile), to send it anotification when the second mobile device 161 is approaching a specificgeographical location, such as a landmark or a department store or aspecific address. The second mobile device 161 then monitors its ownlocation vis-à-vis the specific geographical location provided by thefirst mobile device 121. When it determines that it has reached (withina required distance) the specific geographical location, it communicatesa notification to the first mobile device 121. The user of the firstmobile device 121 can send a response to the notification received thatis communicated back to the user of the second mobile device 161. Theresponse can be in textual form, in graphic form or in audio form. Forexample, the user of the first mobile device 121 may be a child waitingat a library for his parent, the user of the second mobile device 161,to pick him up; the notification sent by the second mobile device 161can be a textual message indicating that the second mobile device 161has arrived at the destination; and, the response sent by the user ofthe first mobile device 121 is an audio response wherein the user says“will be out in 5 minutes”.

In one embodiment, the first mobile device 121 requests the secondmobile device 161, (wherein, for example, the second mobile device 161is a GPS based navigation capable vehicle such as an automobile), tosend it a notification when the second mobile device 161 is approachingand within a certain minimum distance, such as a ¼ mile. The secondmobile device 161 then receives periodic update information from theclient in the first mobile device while it also receives GPS information(from a set of satellites, for example) and computes its own locationand its current distance from the first mobile device 121. When itdetermines that it is within the required distance away from the firstmobile device 121, it sends the first mobile device 121 a notificationinforming it of related information, such as an estimated time when itwill reach a destination specified (referenced by) by the first mobiledevice 121. In a related embodiment, the first mobile device 121 alsoreceives periodic updates of its current location from the second mobiledevice 161.

In one embodiment, the user of a first mobile device 121 desires thepresence/company of a user of a second mobile device 161. The userinteracts with the client 123 in the first mobile device 121 tocommunicate its current location to the client 163 in the second mobiledevice 161, in order to facilitate travel by the user of the secondmobile device 161 to a location close to that of the user of the firstmobile device 121. The client 163 in the second mobile device 161receives the GPS coordinates (or a landmark information, etc.) from theclient 123 of the first mobile device 121, and stores it. It thenenables/activates a navigation feature in the second mobile device 161to guide the user to the desired GPS coordinates. When the user of thesecond mobile device 161 has reached the specified destination, theclient 163 in the second mobile device 161 sends a notification to theclient 123 of the first mobile device 121. Such notification can be sentautomatically, or as an user initiated communication, based onconfiguration or user preference.

In one embodiment, a GPS client 123 or a GPS based Navigation client 123in a first mobile phone 121 or a first mobile device 121 sends anotification to a second user, such as employing a SMS message, toanother user who is using a mobile phone 161, which may not have theclient 163. The first mobile phone 121 is configured to send thenotification to one of an email address, an Instant Messaging client inanother device, and to a mobile phone. The notification is sent when theuser of the first mobile phone 121 (that comprises a GPS support) isdetermined to be in proximity (for example, at a certain distance) of apreset location (such as a town/city/a shopping mall, a public placesuch as a coffee shop or a department store, etc.). The notification isreceived by the second user via email, via an instant messaging client(on a PC or mobile phone) or via an SMS message, etc. on the secondmobile device 161.

The present invention also makes it possible for a first mobile device121 to receive notifications from a plurality of second mobile devices161, wherein the plurality of second devices are configured to send anotification to the first mobile device 121 when they arrive at apreset/configured geographical location at an expected/anticipated timeduration. The notifications are sent by each of the plurality of secondmobile devices 161 after an optional authentication (such as employingpasswords or tokens) of the associated users. In a related embodiment,the first mobile device 121 takes an “attendance” employingnotifications received from the plurality of second mobile devices 161.In yet another related embodiment, the authenticated attendance detectedfor each of the plurality of second mobile devices 161 results in aselective charging of the corresponding user for a servicegranted/provided.

When the second mobile device determines that is has reached (monitoringis one way to determine this) the specified GPS coordinates or landmark,it then communicates an “arrived” notification to the client in thefirst mobile device, which displays an appropriate message, jingle,graphic or information to the user.

In one embodiment, the user of a GPS enabled first mobile device 121bookmarks one or more location/GPS coordinates (such as during a trip)and subsequently communicates those bookmarks to another user who isusing a second GPS enabled mobile device 161. The second user thenactivates the client 163 to employ those bookmarks to guide the user tothose designated places/landmarks, as and when desired. In a relatedembodiment, the client 163 facilitates visiting a sequence oflandmarks/GPS coordinates in a specific order using the bookmarks,wherein the order is specified by the user of a GPS enabled first mobiledevice 121, or by the user of a GPS enabled second mobile device 161 oris some other order specified by a third party of a server.

In one embodiment, the user of a GPS enabled first mobile device 121bookmarks one or more location/GPS coordinates (such as during a trip)and subsequently communicates those bookmarks to another user who isusing a second GPS enabled mobile device 161. The second user thenactivates the client 163 to employ those bookmarks to guide the user tothose designated places/landmarks, as and when desired. In a relatedembodiment, the user of a GPS enabled first mobile device 121 bookmarksone or more landmark locations into a trip plan with corresponding GPScoordinates for an entire trip (that may have taken several days andacross several countries) and subsequently communicates those bookmarksto a coordination server 141 where it is stored and made available toother users, who can then download it into their own mobile devices orinto other navigational devices, and then use them in their own trips.For example, a new user can download the trip plan onto a second GPSenabled mobile device 161 and follow the trip plan to visit all theplaces (such as by driving in a car with the second GPS enabled mobiledevice, which could be a navigational device), in the order prescribedby the trip plan or in an alternate order.

In a related embodiment, the client in the first mobile device 121 thatbookmarks one or more location/GPS coordinates (such as during a trip)also facilitates audio, video, and textual input by a first user foreach of the bookmarked locations. When the bookmarks are loaded into thecoordination server 141, such audio, video, and textual input by thefirst user for each of the locations is stored, and subsequently sharedwith other users who may download the trip plan onto their own mobiledevices, such as a second GPS enabled mobile device 161. A correspondingclient 163 in the second GPS enabled mobile device 161 facilitatesplayback/review of the audio, video, and textual input by the firstuser.

In one embodiment, a coordination server 141 capable of interacting witha plurality of GPS enabled mobile devices 121, 161 facilitates dynamicand location detecting based ticket sales. For example, the coordinationserver 141 when deployed at a concert or an open air movie theatre sendsan invitation, with GPS coordinates of a amphitheatre, cinema house or alandmark, and with a corresponding passcode to a plurality of GPSenabled mobile devices 121, 161. The recipients use the GPS coordinates,landmark information, etc. to arrive at that location, with the help ofthe client software in the mobile devices 123, 163 or a navigationalsoftware. When they arrive at the desired location/destination, thecoordination server 141 is sent an arrival notification, in response towhich the coordination server 141 sends them a challenge requesting theentry of a passcode (for example, and other forms of user authenticationare also contemplated, such as the use of user associated certificates,etc.). The user enters the passcode, gets authenticated, and thecoordination server 141 then interacts with a billing module or abilling server 185 to optionally bill the user for a concert or anactivity that the user is able to witness or participate in. The user'smobile device 121, 161 is also sent a billing confirmation information.To aid non-repudiation, for example, the second mobile device 161 (or aclient 163 associated with it) sends its GPS coordinates (after arrivingat the destination) to the coordination server 141 along with thearrival notification. In a related embodiment, it also digitally signsthe GPS coordinates that is sent to the coordination server 141,employing, for example, keys previously provisioned into the mobiledevice, that can be used for non-repudiation purposes.

The client 123 and the client 163 are embedded client software in oneembodiment and are downloadable client software in another. In adifferent embodiment, the client 123, 163 comprise a navigationalsoftware that is capable of guiding a user to a desired destination orto a desired point on a map or to a landmark based on GPS circuitry andassociated maps.

The users of the GPS enabled mobile devices 121, 161 each employ acorresponding client software (in their mobile devices) 123, 163 in onerelated embodiment, that receives invitations, guides a user to drive avehicle (or otherwise guides him to the location desired), sends anotification of arrival, receives an optional challenge, and lets theuser provide the passcode in response, and subsequently receives abilling notification. The client software 123, 163 is configured tointeract with the coordination server 141, and receives GPS coordinates,landmark information etc. from the coordination server 141, communicatesarrival notifications, user responses to passcode challenges, etc. In arelated embodiment, the client software 123, 163 is also configured tocommunicate a subscription information or a device identification (orsome other identification, such as an email address) to the coordinationserver 141 to facilitate billing (and for other reasons, such asretrieval of a profile, etc.)

The present invention provides a client in the mobile devices thatemploys a generic interface for retrieving positioning information andnavigation information in the mobile devices. This generic interfaceworks with most positioning methods, such as GPS or E-OTD (EnhancedObserved Time Difference).

The present invention provides for the client 123 in the mobile device121 saving one or more waypoints as part of a travel plan at thecoordination server 141. A waypoint is a position a user wishes to saveand return to later. The present invention typically allows a user twomethods to store waypoints in memory. A quick save method uses thecoordinates from either the mobile device's present position or oneselected from a navigational map. In this method, the waypoint isautomatically identified with the next available waypoint number or awaypoint name (associated with a landmark identified to be in proximity)in the list. The user directed method lets the user pick a specificwaypoint number or name under which the user intends to store the newwaypoint. This procedure also allows the user to name the waypoint. Whencommunicating GPS coordinates (or location information in general), themobile device (employing NMEA 0183 protocol or an alternative) sendsaltitude/longitude position, steering, speed and other navigationaldata, as necessary. This is sent to the coordination server 141 or toanother mobile device over the network 103, which is a cellular network,a telematics network, the Internet, etc. The present invention makes itpossible to build a route using waypoints collected by a user during atrip, such a route (from one address to another or from one landmark toanother) being uploaded to the coordination server 141 for sharing withother friends/other individuals who can use them in their own GPSenabled mobile devices (or their navigational systems) for their owntrips.

The present invention makes it possible to navigate (a vehicle forexample) employing the GPS coordinates (or navigational data) sent tothe mobile device 161 (from another mobile device 121 or thecoordination server 141). One method involves retrieving a waypointstored in memory, received in a message from another mobile device 121,or communicated to the mobile device 161 by the coordination server 141.The mobile device 161 then provides instructions to a navigationcomponent (resident in the mobile device 161, for example) to navigateto that waypoint. In general, if the waypoint is retrieved from amessage (such as an SMS based message or a proprietary message) receivedby the client 163 in the mobile device 161, or communicated by someother means to the client 163 (such as over Bluetooth, over instantmessaging service, or over email), the waypoint is stored and thennavigated to.

The coordination server 141 comprises user entries associated with thecorresponding user accounts in the database 149, where details of useraccounts are maintained. A registered user from a client computer or themobile devices 121, 163 provides his/her name, e-mail address, accountdetails, preferences, etc. during a registration process. The database149 is used to keep track of approved individuals (or a friends lists)for each registered user. If the approved individuals/friends arethemselves registered users, then corresponding entries exist in thedatabase 149. For those individual friends who are not yet registeredusers, the database 149 stores contact information such as one or moreof a phone number, a email address, an IP address, a mobile deviceserial number, etc.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary snapshot of a client feature selection 203 screenof the mobile phone 201 that is present by the client software that isinstalled and run in the mobile device 201 in accordance with thepresent invention. The client feature selection 203 comprises the iconslist from 205-227 whose selection will accomplish the correspondingfunctionality. The various features of the client software can beinvoked by a user employing the icons presented on this screen. Thisscreen has buttons/icons such as ‘Create and Send notification’ 205, a‘view notification’ 207, a record audio response 209, a capturevideo/image 211, a messages icon 213, a Download Trips icon 215, anE-mail icon 217, a Contact (book) icon 219, an update trip plan icon221, a Games/Entertainments icon 223, a Preferences and Settings icon225, and an Accessories icon 227.

When the user selects the create and send notification button/icon 205the client software in the mobile device 201 makes it possible for theuser to create a new notification from a list of canned notificationmessages or make a new one. In particular, the client software makes itpossible to send the notification to another mobile device. For example,a canned notification comprising the message “About to arrive atdestination” is sent to a user of another mobile device to announce theimpending arrival at a destination, the location to which had beenpreviously received from the another mobile device.

The view notification icon 207, when activated, invokes screens thatfacilitate viewing notifications received and notifications sent. In oneembodiment, as soon as a notification is received, it is presented tothe user in a view notification screen. In addition, a ring, or a jungleis optionally play to bring it to the user's attention. The user canalso respond back to the notification, such a response can be providedusing audio recording facilities, selecting an appropriate graphicresponse from a list of pre-created graphics, or by typing text. Therecord audio response 209 button activates audio functions, such asthose that are used to record an audio response, or those used to playaudio responses received. In general, a user can choose to provide anaudio input to a received notification immediately, or in adeferred/delayed manner, using the record audio response 209 facility.

The capture video/image icon 211 starts video recording, digital photocapture or imaging functionalities. It can also be used to reviewreceived video content and play them. The messages icon 213 is used tosend messages, for example an SMS message to other mobile phones andclient computers. In one embodiment, it is used to send a canned message(pre-recorded) to one or more recipients using the coordination server,wherein the canned message (which may be pre recorded by the user orprovided by the service) is either stored and sent from the mobile phone121 or retrieved from the coordination server 141. In this embodiment,the client 123 is transparently used for sending a message.

The Download trip plans icon 215 supports download of interactivecontent such as trip plans, from the coordination server, wherein thedownloaded content is handled/processed by the client 203 for a service.For example, the trip plans may be tagged with an appropriate MIME typeand the client 203 is invoked for content with those MIME types that theclient 203 is registered to (and is capable of) handle. In oneembodiment, Downloads trip plans 215 provides a shortcut through which amobile web browser is started and prompts the user to enter a URL of thedownload site for downloading the trip plan contents.

The e-mail icon 217 starts an e-mail client on the mobile phoneprompting the user to login into his e-mail account for sending andreceiving e-mails comprising notifications, trip plans, etc. TheContacts icon 219 is the user interface to the ‘PIM’ (personalinformation management) available in the mobile device 121, 201, whichfacilitates managing the contact list available in the mobile device121. The contacts managed in the PIM comprises individual entries forfriends/colleagues, etc. and also names of groups of friends, whereinthe membership (individual contact information for the members of thegroup) details are remotely available at the coordination server 141 (oreven at an external service provider website, etc.).

The upload trip plan 221 icon facilitates uploading waypoints, tripplans and associated multi-media content, etc. to the coordinationserver 141. For example, a user is prompted to upload a trip plan thatcomprises a plurality of routes, each route comprising one or morewaypoints and one more associated audio information, video information,pictures, textual descriptions, etc. In addition, each waypoint may onemore associated audio information, video information, pictures, textualdescriptions. The trip plan is stored as an XML file and uploaded as anXML in one related embodiment. Other forms of structuring, organizingand storing the related data are also contemplated. The trip plan isuploaded to one or more servers, such as the coordination server 141.

The Games/Entertainments icon 223 opens a list games and entertainmentchoices currently available/accessible and provides an interface withthe entertainment modules for e.g. access to a radio, etc. on the mobiledevice 201, 121. Users can play games and listen to music, etc. theservice provided by third party. The Preferences and Settings icon 225facilitates an interface for the configuration of the mobile device 201,121 in terms of its appearance and performance. The accessories icon 227provides an interface to miscellaneous functionalities such ascalculator, calendar, etc.

The client feature selection screen 203 also comprises some softkeys/buttons such as an ‘Option’ soft key 229, a ‘Selection’ soft key231, and a ‘Back’ 233 soft key. The default action is the ‘Selection’231 button on this screen (i.e. the client feature selection screen) ofthe highlighted icon when the OK button is hit on the ‘joystick’ 245from the keypad 243.

Activating the 241 key from the keypad 243 will open the Options 229functionality, which results in presenting the user with a list in amenu or sub-menu, which can be browsed using the ‘joystick’ 245. The‘Back’ soft key/button 233 will be selected when the key 247 isactivated on the keypad 243, to cancel the current screen to go back tothe previous one.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen snapshot 301 of a mobile phone 121depicting the selection of an individual contact from available contactgroups for sending a notification, which can comprise at least one of acanned message, a personalized typed message and a graphic selected bythe user. Such notifications are sent by a user when the user (and themobile device) is in proximity to a destination that has been providedby another user/mobile device. For example, the details of thedestination may have been provided by another user in the form of GPScoordinates. The user would chose one of the contacts groups displayedin the contacts group list 305, then select (at least) one contact fromthe corresponding people list 315, such as the entry 317. Then the userwould select one of the canned messages, such as “Almost There” 353 andactivate the send button 331. In addition, the user can input a textualmessage in the text input area 325, or provide an audio messageemploying the record 343 button.

In addition, the notification screen 303 facilitates reviewingnotifications received. A received 323 list displays a list ofnotifications currently available, and when a user selects one of them,the corresponding text is displayed in the text input entry pane 325 (oran alternative). In addition, the sender is highlighted in the peoplelist 315, and a reply can be sent to the sender by activating the reply339 button. Notifications received can be forwarded to other contactsusing a forward 341 button. Pictures, audio portions and video can beattached with notifications sent (using the Send button 331), withreplies sent (using the reply 339 button) and with forwardedmessages/notifications (using the forward 341 button), such attachmentsfacilitated by features that are made available by activating an attach345 button.

A ‘receive’ button 333 is selected by a user to download all themessages and notifications that have been received by a user (into hisregistered user's account, for example). In one embodiment, the messagescomprise of responses received, requests received from other users towhich a notification has subsequently been provided, etc. The messagescan be sorted by categories or sorted by date/time on the mobile phone121 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the responses received are identifiedby the recipient's name and mobile phone number pairs. If the recipientdoes not have a mobile phone number, their account name, email addressor associated reference information is displayed along with the name.

The user browses through the list of the notification screen 303employing the ‘joystick’ 675. Upon browsing through a list to aparticular item, the user selects the one of the appropriate buttons inthe option button pane 327. When the user selects a notificationreceived (for example), the latest uploaded photo of the sender appearsin an optional ‘picture pane’ (not shown). This ensures the security andguarantees that the sender is a known person or a friend.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary operation of a first mobile devicethat is capable of receiving a destination information comprising anavigational data such as GPS coordinates and routes from a secondmobile device, the first mobile device capable of guiding a user to thedestination specified by a user of the second mobile device. At a startblock 403, the processing starts in the first mobile device. Later, at anext block 405, the first mobile device waits for requests from users ofother mobile devices asking the user to navigate to a destination wherethey are currently located. The request if displayed for review by auser prompting the user to accept the request (and thereby provideconsent). In one embodiment, the requests are accompanied by adestination information, such as navigational information. For example,a request from the user of the second mobile device arrives with adestination information provided in the form of a landmark or a GPScoordinates, requesting the user of the first mobile device to navigate(employing the first mobile device) to the destination. The request isdisplayed to the user of the first mobile device.

Then, at a next block 407, the navigational information, such as GPScoordinates or alternative information (such as a landmarkspecification), is received, processed and stored. Then, navigation isactivated. At a next block 409, the progress towards the destination ismonitored. In one embodiment, progress is reported to the second mobiledevice periodically.

Then, at a next decision block 411, an attempt is made to determine ifthe user of the first mobile device is approaching the destination. Ifit is determined that the user is approaching the destination, then, ata next block 415, a notification is sent to the user of the secondmobile device, and an optional response sent by the user of the secondmobile device is received and displayed. Control then passes to the nextblock 405 where a next request is anticipated.

If, at the block 411, it is determined that the user is not approachingthe destination, then, at a next block 413, an attempt is made todetermine if the user of the first mobile device has arrived at thedestination. If it is determined that the user has arrived at thedestination, then, at a next block 415, a notification is sent to theuser of the second mobile device, and an optional response sent by theuser of the second mobile device is received and displayed. Otherwise,control then passes to the next block 409 for continued monitoring ofprogress.

In general, the present invention makes it possible to communicatemultimedia contents along with requests for navigation by the recipientto a specified destination, with a reliable server-assisted deliverymechanism for notification between mobile devices as they exchange GPScoordinates and facilitate navigation of one user (of one mobile device)towards the destination specified by another user (of a different mobiledevice). This provides support for ad-hoc navigation with consent ofusers. Such transfer of navigational information (routes beingcommunicated, GPS coordinates being exchanged or waypoint informationbeing exchanged) from a mobile phone or from a client computer toanother is useful and timely. Similarly the notifications can be sentwhen a user nears a destination and also while the user of one mobiledevice navigates towards the destination. This has a lot of applicationsand addresses a market need.

In addition, the combination of GPS coordinate communication with audiomessage notifications and subsequent responses is convenient for theusers involved, with the use of keyboards minimized if not altogethereliminated.

The present invention discloses a mobile device comprising a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver circuitry capable of pinpointing alocation and providing directions to a destination. It employs a clientsoftware capable of interacting with the GPS receiver circuitry andactivating navigation towards the destination. The client softwarereceives a request to navigate to the destination from a second mobiledevice and accepts the request. It then navigates and providesdirections to lead the user to the destination. It also automaticallysends notifications to the second mobile device. The present inventionalso discloses a mobile web system comprising a server communicativelycoupled to the first mobile device and the second mobile device. Theserver facilitates sending navigational coordinates and notificationsbetween the first and second mobile devices. It also facilitates sendingnotifications from a plurality of mobile devices that congregate at alocation, and is able to verify their presence, challenge the users forverification/security, etc. The navigational coordinates are based on atleast one of a latitude, longitude, and height system, earth centeredCartesian coordinates, earth centered earth fixed, earth centeredinertial, and east north up.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the terms “operablycoupled” and “communicatively coupled,” as may be used herein, includedirect coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element,circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the interveningcomponent, element, circuit, or module does not modify the informationof a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/orpower level. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elementsin the same manner as “operably coupled” and “communicatively coupled.”

Although the present invention has been described in terms of GPScoordinates/and navigational information communication involving mobilephones and computers, it must be clear that the present invention alsoapplies to other types of devices including mobile devices, laptops witha browser, a hand held device such as a PDA, a television, aset-top-box, a media center at home, robots, robotic devices, vehiclescapable of navigation, and a computer communicatively coupled to thenetwork.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising: global positioningsystem (GPS) receiver circuitry that, during operation, determines alocation of the mobile device; client software that, during operation,interacts with the GPS receiver circuitry and activates navigationtowards a destination; the client software receiving, from a secondmobile device, information identifying the location of the second mobiledevice as the destination and a request to the client software tonavigate to the destination; the client software accepting the request;the client software, responsive to receiving the request, automaticallynavigating to the second mobile device and providing directions to thedestination to the user of the mobile device; the client softwareautomatically sending at least one notification to the second mobiledevice when the client software determines that the mobile device hasmoved to within a certain distance of the second mobile device whiletraveling to the location of the second mobile device; wherein themobile device receives a challenge in response to the at least onenotification, and in response to the challenge, sends securityinformation and an associated GPS coordinate to the sender of thechallenge to enable verification that the mobile device has successfullyreached the destination; and wherein the security information comprisesone or more of a digital signature computed and sent, a passcode enteredby a corresponding user, coupon information, and a membershipidentification.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the at least onenotification comprises one or more of a proximity message, an arrivalmessage, a failure message and/or a deferred message.
 3. The mobiledevice of claim 1 wherein the mobile device and the second mobile deviceare handheld navigational devices.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1wherein the mobile device and the second mobile device are both GPSenabled cellular phone devices.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1 whereinthe request to navigate is accompanied by a specification of thedestination, wherein the specification employs one of global positioningsystem (GPS) coordinates, a landmark indicator, and enhanced observedtime difference (E-OTD) based location information.
 6. The mobile deviceof claim 1 wherein the at least one notification comprises one or moreof a graphic image, a textual message and/or an audio message.
 7. Themobile device of claim 1 wherein the at least one notification isprovided by the user, and comprises one or more of a textual messageinput by a user, a canned textual message selected by the user, agraphic selected by a user and/or an audio input recorded by the user.8. The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising: the client softwarereceiving and displaying a response provided by the user of the secondmobile device as a reply to the at least one notification sent by theclient software.
 9. A mobile web system, the mobile web systemcomprising: a server communicatively coupled to a first mobile deviceand to a second mobile device; the first mobile device and the secondmobile device comprising client software that, during operation,interacts with the server; wherein the client software in the firstmobile device, during operation, communicates to the server, a requestto navigate to a destination and destination information, wherein thedestination information identifies a location; the server communicatingthe request and the destination information to the second mobile device;wherein the client software in the second mobile device, duringoperation, displays the request and receives a consent to navigate tothe location from a user of the second mobile device; wherein the clientsoftware in the second mobile device, during operation, responds to therequest from the first mobile device by automatically navigating theuser to the destination by providing directions guiding the user to thedestination using the destination information; wherein the clientsoftware in the second mobile device, during operation, automaticallysends at least one notification to the first mobile device when theclient software in the second mobile device determines that the secondmobile device has traveled to within a certain distance of thedestination; wherein the server challenges the second mobile device whenthe server receives the at least one notification, and in response,receives security information and an associated GPS coordinate from thesecond mobile device and verifies that the second mobile device hassuccessfully reached the destination; and wherein the securityinformation comprises one or more of a digital signature computed andsent, a passcode entered by a corresponding user, coupon information,and a membership identification.
 10. The mobile web system of claim 9wherein the client software in the second mobile device automaticallysends a notification to the first mobile device when the second mobiledevice is approaching the destination, after the second mobile devicehas arrived at the destination, and selectively periodically during thenavigation to the destination.
 11. The mobile web system of claim 9wherein the client software in the first mobile device and the secondmobile device facilitates creation of a trip plan comprising a pluralityof waypoints and wherein the server facilitates uploading the trip planfor storage and sharing.
 12. The mobile web system of claim 11 whereinthe trip plan further comprises digital pictures, audio inputs andtextual content corresponding to at least one of the plurality ofwaypoints.
 13. The mobile web system of claim 9 wherein the server iscommunicatively coupled to three or more mobile devices, the mobile websystem further comprising: the three or more mobile devices; each of thethree or more mobile devices receiving the destination information fromthe server; each of the three or more mobile devices sending anotification to the server after navigating to the destination based onthe destination information; and the server verifying that each of thethree or more mobile devices has successfully reached the destination.14. A method of communicating between a first mobile device and a secondmobile device, the method comprising: receiving, at the second mobiledevice from the first mobile device, a request for a notification andnavigational coordinates for a destination; accepting selectively therequest from the first mobile device at the second mobile device andstoring the navigational coordinates for the destination; responsive tothe request, automatically activating navigation at the second mobiledevice to the destination employing the navigational coordinates for thedestination; providing at least one notification to the first mobiledevice by the second mobile device, when the second mobile devicedetermines that the second mobile device has moved to within a certaindistance of the destination while traveling to the destination;receiving a challenge, at the second mobile device, and in response,sending security information and an associated GPS coordinate from thesecond mobile device to the sender of the challenge, wherein the senderof the challenge verifies that the second mobile device has successfullyreached the destination; and wherein the security information comprisesone or more of a digital signature computed and sent, a passcode enteredby a corresponding user, coupon information, and a membershipidentification.
 15. The method of communicating according to claim 14wherein the at least one notification takes the form of one or more of atextual message, an audio message, and/or a graphic image, and whereinproviding the at least one notification comprises one or more of:offering a first notification when the second mobile device is within apreset distance from the destination; transferring a second notificationafter reaching the destination; and/or conveying a third notificationperiodically while navigating towards the destination.
 16. The method ofcommunicating according to claim 14 wherein accepting further comprises:displaying the request to a user and prompting the user to accept therequest; authenticating selectively the first mobile device or a user ofthe first mobile device; and noting the user acceptance of the requestand continuing with the storing of the navigational coordinates.
 17. Themethod of communicating according to claim 14 wherein providing the atleast one notification comprises: periodically determining how far thesecond mobile device is from the first mobile device; conveying a firstmessage to the first mobile device when the second mobile device iswithin a default distance or a default time away from the first mobiledevice; and transferring a second message when the second mobile devicehas arrived at a location where the first mobile device is alsocurrently located.
 18. The method of communicating according to claim 14wherein: the navigational coordinates, the request, and a reference tothe second mobile device are delivered to a server by the first mobiledevice, the server communicatively coupled to both the first and secondmobile devices; wherein the navigational coordinates and the request areconveyed to the second mobile device by the server; wherein thenavigational coordinates are based on at least one of a latitude,longitude, and height system, earth centered Cartesian coordinates,earth centered earth fixed, earth centered inertial, and east north up;and wherein the reference is one of an IP address, a phone number, anaccount information and a user name.
 19. The method of claim 14,comprising: receiving, at the second mobile device from the first mobiledevice, a response to the notification.
 20. The mobile device of claim 1wherein the at least one notification comprises a message or graphicselected from a plurality of pre-defined messages or graphics accordingto a distance between the mobile device and the second mobile device.